Laura’s Dream
...for a cure!
A member of our community has a dream that started from a very special birthday wish! Laura Osborne of Bedford
was diagnosed in 2006 with a very rare disease called Metachromatic Leukodystrophy (MLD). This disease has taken
her mobility, her cognition and eventually will take her life; however it has not taken her spirit, her compassion, or her
humour. Three years ago, when asked what she wanted for her 23rd birthday, her only wish was to have her family
and friends donate to a charity that helps children who have MLD. Laura knows that finding a cure for MLD would
mean that others are healthy. Our search led us to Bethanys Hope, a Canadian charity dedicated to funding research
to find a cure for those suffering from Leukodystrophy. Founded in London, Ontario in 1995, they have raised over
4 million dollars to support the ongoing research at the University of Western Ontario for the ultimate goal... a cure!
Bethanys Hope Foundation has set 2018 as the beginning of a new phase: trialing the results of their years of
research, and we are proud to be a part of TEAM 2018.
To honour Laura’s birthday wish, we celebrated her last three birthdays by holding a fundraiser, “Laura’s Dream”,
which has raised over $80,000 to donate in Laura’s honour to Bethanys Hope. Her dream to find a cure for MLD will
become a reality someday through the support of caring communities like ours. We will continue to hold this event
every June, in honor of Laura’s birthday, until the day comes that a cure has been found. Unfortunately, due to the
degenerative nature of MLD, Laura will not live to see this day but her legacy will live on. This year, as Laura
celebrates her 26th birthday, we have set our sights high: to raise $25,000.
Again this year, we will be hosting a fundraiser including a raffle and silent auction to help Laura’s Dream become a
reality.
When: May 30th, 2015 starting @ 7 pm
Where: Brewster’s Bar and Grill, 961 Bedford Highway, Bedford (Millcove Plaza)
Goal: $25,000 donation to Bethanys Hope Foundation
We are hoping that we can count on your support this year. We are asking 100 local companies for $100 donations to
help reach our goal (charitable receipts are available upon request). If a cash donation is not possible at this time, a
contribution to our silent auction would be an excellent way to help us reach our contribution goal. Your company will
be featured on the Laura’s Dream Facebook Page. We are also selling raffle tickets for two round-trip tickets
anywhere WestJet flies. If you are able to sell raffle tickets at your place of business, this would also be a huge
support!
Because Leukodystrophy is so rare, it doesn’t get attention from large research companies; fundraisers like
Laura’s Dream are the only way to continue the search for a cure. By participating in Laura’s Dream, 100% of the
proceeds will go to medical research at one of Canada’s leading medical universities, The University of Western
Ontario. This event is being organized by Laura’s family and friends who are all volunteers, so that all the money
raised can go to helping others living with MLD. If you are able to help, please contact Mary Burtt at
[email protected] or by calling (902) 835-0008. We can pick up financial donations and/or auction items, and
can drop off raffle tickets to sell in your place of business. Cheques should be made payable to Bethanys Hope
Foundation with Laura’s Dream noted on the cheque.
Your support is greatly appreciated and will help Laura’s Dream become a reality.
Mary Burtt and Laura Osborne
56 Church Court, Bedford, NS B4A 3V5
“It doesn’t matter if the outcome does not prolong my
life, it makes me happy to help people. It makes me feel
proud that my contribution could inspire change.”
Laura Osborne